Mainland China

Discover ancient history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes on an unforgettable journey!

Mainland China is an important gateway for many Tibet journeys. Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Lanzhou, Chongqing, Xining and Zhangye combine ancient capitals, Buddhist sites, Silk Road history and mountain scenery.

Many of these cities also connect onward to Tibet by flight or train, including direct or connecting routes to Lhasa and access to the Qinghai-Tibet Railway depending on the season and ticket availability. They are good starting or ending points for travelers who want to add Chinese culture before reaching the Tibetan Plateau.

Planning a Mainland China Gateway Journey

SnowLion Tours’ Mainland China destinations are especially useful as gateways to Tibet and the wider Tibetan Plateau. Chengdu, Xining, Lanzhou, Beijing, Xi’an, Chongqing, Zhangye and Dunhuang can be planned as short cultural stops, Silk Road extensions, train gateways or flight connections before and after Tibet. Chengdu and Xining are particularly important for Tibet travel: Chengdu has frequent flights to Lhasa, while Xining is the main starting point for the Qinghai-Tibet train.

For private itineraries, see our China tours. Useful related travel guides include the Chengdu Travel Guide and Tibet Train Tickets.